What about my accent?

What can I do about my accent?

It's a question I hear regularly from my clients.

I know. If you’re a non-native English speaker, presenting in English, you can easily feel at a disadvantage.

Maybe you think you lack vocabulary. Or fluency. Or spontaneity. Or all three.
 
You worry that when the time comes, you won’t find the right words.
 
I cross the language barrier every day, and I know I have an accent every time I do so.
 
I sound British when I speak French. And French when I speak Spanish (!).
 
And I don’t always find the exact words for what I want to say.
 
But here’s the thing. It doesn’t matter. As long as our audience understands us.
 
So how can you help them to get what you’re saying?

- Plan, prepare, and practice. Practice as much as you need to own your content. Accent and all.

- Avoid speeding up to sound more fluent. Instead, speak slowly. Use short sentences. Pronounce every syllable. And pause... so people can digest your words.

- And remember: accents are charming. Our accent is a fundamental part of who we are - our cultural heritage and identity. Our essence.
 
Should we apologise for it? Definitely not.
 
I invite you to embrace your accent... and be proud of it.
 
Your audience will love you for it.

Photo: Calvin Hanson on Unsplash